Explore the Periodic Trends Explorer
Colour the periodic table by radius, electronegativity or ionisation energy and see the trends. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Periodic Trends Explorer with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Periodic Trends Explorer?
Colour the periodic table by radius, electronegativity or ionisation energy and see the trends. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Chemists use periodic trends to predict bond types, reactivity, and which elements make good conductors, batteries and catalysts.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down a group.
Electronegativity and ionisation energy increase across a period and decrease down a group.
Noble gases have very high ionisation energies because their shells are full.
Colour by electronegativity and find the top-right corner.
Switch to atomic radius and compare Li and F.
Click an element to read its numbers.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Chemistry learners
Chemistry students from middle school to university, teachers who need a virtual demonstration, and anyone without access to a lab.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Periodic Trends Explorer on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Switch to atomic radius and compare Li and F. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why does atomic radius get smaller across a period?
The nuclear charge increases while electrons are added to the same shell, so the nucleus pulls the electron cloud in more tightly.
Which element is the most electronegative?
Fluorine, with an electronegativity of 3.98 on the Pauling scale.
Is the Periodic Trends Explorer free to use?
Yes. The Periodic Trends Explorer is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Chemistry group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Periodic Trends Explorer work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Periodic Trends Explorer takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 1 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Periodic Trends Explorer?
1. In the Periodic Trends Explorer, use the controls to change Trend arrows. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Periodic Trends Explorer, pick an option such as Electronegativity, Atomic radius, Ionisation energy, Atomic number to switch modes or load an example. 3. Start with this experiment: Colour by electronegativity and find the top-right corner. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Periodic Trends Explorer responds in real time. 4. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down a group.
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Colour the periodic table by radius, electronegativity or ionisation energy and see the. Free to use.
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